Letters 2-19-2013

I read with mixed feelings the letter sent from J. R. Galloway on Feb. 15 in regard to airport speeding tickets.

I felt some happiness knowing I wasn’t the only one the airport “Rambo-man” officer ticketed, but I also shared this visitor’s yearning for some aloha.

Three years ago, on the way to a volunteer meeting for the Kona Air show, I was driving the airport entrance road, and at the stop sign looked behind me and saw the police vehicle had its lights on for me. Of course I pulled over, and was told I was speeding, “Did I know I was going 42 mph?”

I also did not see the speed limit signs and would be interested to count how many are posted.

The officer was rude to me even when I told him I’ve never had a ticket and I didn’t realize the speed limit. I tried talking, cajoling, practically begging all to no avail. That ticket cost more than $150.

There are a couple points I would like to make: Be aware this is obviously a speed trap zone to be victimized by. So, next time you are driving to the airport, do drive 25 mph. After driving the highway, you will feel like you are crawling, but it’s worth it to save a bundle of cash.

I tried to register a complaint but airport police are under a separate jurisdiction from the county police. Don’t waste your time trying to fight; you will lose.

Francine Alexander

Kailua-Kona

Bag ban

Beware the unintended consequences thereof

I noted with interest a couple of recent articles referring to a recent study by a couple of law professors for the Wharton School Institute for Law and Economics. They found a huge (46 percent) increase in food-borne-illness deaths in San Francisco after its plastic bag ban went into effect (a San Francisco Chronicle article can be found here: sfgate.com/opinion/saunders/article/S-F-s-plastic-bag-ban-may-be-unhealthy-4264075.php).

Once again, we see the unintended consequences of government regulation.

Perhaps the Legislature should think twice before passing a statewide ban. And maybe the County Council should consider lifting the ban on our island.

As many would-be regulators often say: “If even one life is saved, it will be worth it.”

Alternatively, maybe we need a new law requiring us to wash or otherwise sterilize our reusable bags after each use.